Damon Mirani

Damon Mirani (born 13 May 1996) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Heracles Almelo.

Club career

Ajax Mirani began his football career in the under-8 of VV Monnickendam before moving to Volendam. At the end of the 2011–12 season, he was admitted to the Ajax academy. On 15 March 2013, he signed his first professional contract with the club, binding him to the club until 30 June 2016. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Mirani was crowned Talent van De Toekomst (Talent of the Future) while playing for Ajax B1, the under-17 team.

Mirani began the 2013–14 season playing for Ajax A1, the under-19 team. With the unavailability of several players, he made his professional debut for Jong Ajax against Achilles '29 in an Eerste Divisie match on 8 September 2013, coming on for Tom Noordhoff as a half-time substitute. On 28 June 2014, Mirani made his unofficial debut for the Ajax first team in a friendly against SDC Putten which was won 13–1. Mirani replaced Kenny Tete after the break and scored the 7–0 from a corner-kick in the 50th minute.

In March 2016, it was announced that Mirani's expiring contract would not be extended, which meant that he could start looking for a new club. Mirani made a total of 24 appearances for Jong Ajax in three seasons, and failed to make his official first-team debut.

Almere City On 31 May 2016, Mirani signed a two-year contract with Eerste Divisie club Almere City. He made his official debut for Almere City on 5 August in an away match against Volendam. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. Mirani quickly grew into a starter at centre-back for Almere. On 7 April 2017, he scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 league loss to VVV-Venlo. He missed the end of the regular season and the playoffs due to an injury.

Mirani remained a starter for the next three seasons, leading Almere City to the promotion playoffs three times without success. In 2018, they came closest but lost the final to De Graafschap. Over five seasons, Mirani played 180 matches for Almere City, scoring 16 goals.

Volendam On 15 June 2021, Mirani moved to Volendam on a two-year contract, a club where he already worked part-time as a youth coach. Mirani thus returned to the club he had left at sixteen for an opportunity at Ajax. At Volendam, he reunited with coach Wim Jonk, his former coach in the Ajax youth team. Mirani was appointed captain upon arrival and made an immediate impact by scoring the opening goal in his debut on August 6, 2021, against FC Eindhoven. The match ended in a 2–2 draw. In his first season, Mirani was a starter and played every minute of every match.

In the 2022–23 season, Mirani continued to play every match in full until the winter break. On January 14, 2023, in a match against RKC Waalwijk, Mirani was substituted for the first time in over sixty matches. On April 21, he scored both goals in a 2–0 win against Cambuur. Despite a loss to Go Ahead Eagles a month later, FC Volendam secured their Eredivisie status.

In March 2024, Volendam announced that Mirani's contract was expiring and that he would decide on his future at the end of the season. In May 2024, Volendam were relegated from the Eredivisie following a defeat against Ajax.

Heracles On 5 June 2024, Mirani signed a three-year contract with Heracles Almelo.

Career statistics

Honours Individual Ajax Talent of the Future: 2012–13 Eredivisie Team of the Month: April 2023